Julian Period, 4770. Vulgar Æra,

57.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, Macedonia. because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

§ 12. 1 TIM. iv. 12. to the end.

St. Paul gives Timothy directions as to his own Conduct,
and warns him to put away all Subjects of speculative
Teaching-To become an Example to the Church-To
devote himself to the Ministry-To reading-study—
meditation, and self-government, for in so doing he
should save himself, and be made the Instrument of Sal-
vation to others.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ex-
ample of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,
in spirit, in faith, and purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine ; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

13. 1 TIM. v. 1—16

Further directions are given to Timothy, for the better
Success of his Teaching-He is instructed as to his Con-
duct to the Elders-To young Men and Women, and to
Widows who were maintained by the Charity of the
Church-None were to be admitted under sixty Years of
Age, lest if younger Women were received, and for-
bidden to marry, they might renounce Christianity, or
bring Disgrace upon the Christian Name.

1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father;
and the younger men as brethren;

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

1

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

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CONDUCT OF A BISHOP TOWARDS THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH.

333

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for Macedonia. riod, 4770. those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is Vulgar Æra, worse than an infidel.

57.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

10 Well reported of for good works: if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry.

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house: and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Timothy is directed in his Conduct towards the Elders, or
the Pastors of the Church-Good Ministers worthy of
double Honour and Emolument-A suitable Provision to
be made by the Church for them-The Elders are to be
reproved only on the fullest Evidence, and then publicly,
as a warning for others-Timothy is solemnly charged to
be strictly impartial in his Government, and to ordain
Elders with the greatest care and circumspection, after
a faithful Examination into their Characters, that he
may be pure from any future act of Guilt, or Misconduct
-St. Paul advises him, in a Parenthesis, as to his
Health.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honour, especially they who labour in the word and
doctrine.

18 For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things

without preferring one before another, doing nothing by Macedonia. partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine own infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before
to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest
beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
§ 15. 1 TIM. vi. 1, 2.

Because Christianity does not alter the Relations of Society,
Servants and Slaves are to be commanded to pay due
deference even to their heathen Masters-They are more
especially cautioned to pay the same Obedience to their
Christian Masters, and not to permit their brotherly
Union as Christians to interfere with their known Duties.
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count
their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of
God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not
despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do
them service, because they are faithful and beloved, par-
takers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

§ 16. 1 TIM. vi. 3—10.

The Judaizing Teachers condemned, who hold different Doc-
trines, absolving Men from their civil Duties-They are
reproved for their Controversies and Strifes of Words, and
for preferring their own temporal Gain to the Honour of
God and the Advancement of his Truth-Contentment is
enforced in every Station, from the Vanity of all earthly
Possessions-The great Danger of an immoderate love
of Riches.

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to whole-
some words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment, let us be therewith

content.

9 But they that will be rich, fall into temptation and a

EXHORTATIONS TO THE WEALTHY-CHAP. XIII.

335

Jalian Pe- snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown Macedonia. riod, 4770. men in destruction and perdition. Valgar Æra,

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10 For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

§ 17. 1 TIM. vi. 11-16.

Timothy, as divinely inspired, is called upon to refrain from
these evil Practices, and to follow after Godliness-St.
Paul charges him as in the Presence of God; and in con-
sideration of the great Day of Judgment, that he continue
stedfast in the Faith, conscientiously discharging his
Office, avoiding all worldly and sordid Motives-The
Apostle ends by describing the great Glory of Christ,
which will be hereafter manifested.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and fol-
low after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

§ 18. 1 TIM. vi. 17-19.

Timothy is charged to admonish those who are rich, not to
trust in their uncertain Possessions, but in God, who is the
giver of them-They are exhorted to be rich in good
Works, that they may prepare for themselves more durable
and eternal Blessings.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in
the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy ;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Julian Period, 4771. Vulgar Æra,

58, early in the year.

§ 19. 1 TIM. 20. to the end.

St. Paul ends as he began the Epistle, by again exhorting
Timothy to be stedfast in the Christian Doctrine, avoid-
ing all philosophical and useless Speculations, so strenu-
ously advocated by the false Teachers.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy
trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and opposi-
tions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

SECTION X.

St. Paul proceeds from Macedonia to Greece, or Achaia,
and continues there three Months.

ACTS XX. 2. and part of ver. 3.

2 And when he had 'gone over those parts, and had
given them much exhortation, he came into Greece 18.
3 And there abode three months.

SECTION XI.

St. Paul having been informed of the Reception his first
Epistle had met from the Corinthians, writes his second
Epistle from Philippi, to justify his apostolic Conduct,
and vindicate his Authority, both of which had been im-
pugned by a false Teacher

Macedonia.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, Philippi.

15 He did not, however, go there immediately; he passed through Macedonia, (ver. 1.) in which he informs us (2 Cor. vii. 5, 6, 7.) that he suffered much, both from believers and infidels; but was greatly comforted by the arrival of Titus, who gave him a very flattering account of the prosperous state of the Church at Corinth. A short time after this, being still in Macedonia; be sent Titus back to Corinth, (2 Cor. viii. 16, 17.) and forwarded by him the second Epistle, which he wrote to that Church, as Theodoret and others suppose. Some time after he visited Corinth himself, according to his promise (1 Cor. xvi. 5.); this was his third voyage to that city, (2 Cor. xii. 14. xiii. 1.)

19 The second Epistle to the Corinthians was occasioned by the accounts which the apostle had received of the reception of the first. This is fully proved by the internal evidence. It was written soon after the arrival of Titus from Corinth, who communicated to the apostle the submission and good disposition of that Church. He had the satisfaction of learning that in conformity to the directions contained in his first Epistle, the incestuous person had been excommunicated (2 Cor. ii. 5—11. vii. 11.) and that many were anxious for his return, and were zealous in the vindication of his office against those who had calum